Pavel Tomm

Though he grew up in the heart of Europe, Pavel always felt a pull toward the water. As a child, he explored various sports—BMX, tennis, basketball—and even tried scuba diving. But something was missing. Then, over 20 years ago, he discovered the monofin and began using it for finswimming. That, he realized, was the missing piece: the perfect balance of physical exertion and mental discipline.

In 2012, a trip to Koh Tao in Thailand changed everything. He began freediving with Blue Immersion, and it wasn’t long before he became an instructor himself. He spent five years on the island, working with world-class freedivers and trainers such as Linda Paganelli, Lotta Ericson, and Florian Dagoury—serving not only as an instructor and coach but also as a manager of the school. His impact was significant, having trained and guided over 700 students through his programs.

In 2017, Pavel was invited by Jacques de Vos to join Arctic Freediving as a guide—a seasonal expedition project in the fjords of Norway, diving beyond the polar circle with orcas and humpback whales. It was a dream come true, and one he hopes will never end.

When the pandemic reshaped the world, Pavel returned to the Czech Republic and founded his own freediving school and training club: Apnoe Space. Today, he continues to share his experience and passion with a growing community of freedivers, staying true to the pursuit that changed his life.